The city of Rankin is in Upton County, Texas. It is in the heart of the Permian Basin and is the oldest town in the county. Rankin is a small community primarily based around the ranching industry. The discovery of the Yates Oil Field in adjacent Pecos County in the early part of the nineteenth century converted Rankin into a boom town. The Rankin Museum housed in Yates Hotel is a place of must visit.